Liverpool have taken on highly-rated Chilean winger Mathias Pinto on trial ahead of a proposed permanent transfer.

The 16-year-old is expected to arrive on Merseyside this weekend ahead of a trial that will last until September 1, with the prospect of being offered a permanent deal should he impress the Anfield club.

Pinto has been plying his trade with Undiversidad de Chile and has been tracked by Liverpool since he featured in last year’s South American Under-15 Championships – and feels that he is ready for the challenge that lies ahead in England.

‘I truly feel I am ready to play for the first-team. I am aware the tempo is different, but it is up to the player and I hope that more opportunities come my way,’ he told El Grafico Chile.

‘They saw me in Bolivia (at the South American U15 Championship in 2013) and I could have gone in March but that didn’t happen due to personal problems.

‘Then they scouted me again and reached an agreement with Universidad de Chile to ensure that the trial became a reality this month.’